History sneaks in by side door as great taboo is set to be broken

Seán Lemass, Fianna Fáil 1959-1966

John Downing

Sometimes we're just coming down with historical milestones. And at other times history just sneaks in the side door, bringing a major first we risk barely noticing.

A statement was issued by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael yesterday at precisely 5.15pm. "Both leaders met this morning and agreed the framework document. Both leaders will brief their respective parliamentary parties tomorrow," it read.